Easy open flexible bag

Abstract

An easy open flexible bag preferably containing one or more stacks of flexible articles which are compressed in a direction substantially parallel to their thickness. The degree of compression may be as much as 50% or more. In a preferred embodiment, the bag encloses the compressed articles and exhibits a substantially rectilinear shape. The bag preferably includes an integral carrying handle. The side, front, and back panels of the bag are subject to tension imposed by the articles. The top of the bag is closed by forming inwardly folded side gussets and sealing the vertically extending portions of the front and back panels to one another. A continuous line of weakness spanning a tensioned side wall of the bag and continuing into the closed uppermost end of the bag is provided. The portion of the line of weakness in the uppermost end of the bag is located near the innermost portions of the opposed inwardly folded side gussets such that the bag may be easily opened by grasping the outermost edge of the top of the bag and partially separating or completely removing the corner of the bag, along with the included side gusset, along the continuous line of weakness. Partial separation or complete removal of a portion of the tensioned side panel of the bag allows the coinciding portion of the stack of compressed articles to project in fan-like array through the aperture to permit easy one-at-a-time removal.